CTA: Urge Your Members of Congress to Speak Out and Denounce Political Violence in All Its Forms 

 

Please urge your members of Congress to speak out and denounce political violence in all its forms. Political violence can include threats or actions that are:

• Intended to destabilize institutions or democratic functions
• Led by elected officials, candidates, or other political actors
• Directed at office holders, government administrators, ideologically motivated public figures, or activists
• Meant to restrict the participation of an individual or group in social, economic, or political systems 

 

In recent years Americans have witnessed attacks on public figures and our democratic institutions. Current data reveals that 85% of Americans believe politically motivated violence is on the rise, although there is less agreement on the causes of political violence. There have been previous periods of elevated political violence in our nation; however, this era of political violence is unique and especially troubling in that violent actions and rhetoric are increasingly coming from both sides of the political spectrum, and in some cases perpetrators have no clear ideological motivation.  

 

Rather than tolerating or excusing politically motivated violence, we must condemn it at every turn. Studies show that political leaders have the power to shape how their followers view political violence, giving elected officials a particular responsibility to use their voices to reject violent acts and rhetoric.

 

Ask your congressional representatives to speak out publicly against political violence. To be even more effective, they could join with colleagues of the opposing party to make clear that political violence has no place in our political systems or society.

 

When writing your letters, consider the following:

• Choose an example to focus on. 
• Use a personal story that shows how this affects you or those around you.
• Be concise! Write a second letter if you would like to highlight a different issue.